* Overall satisfaction is an individual rating and not a combined total of all ratings

What does the average New Zealander do to keep trim?

A majority of respondents to our recent survey – 89%, in fact – told us that regular exercise is part of their commitment to a healthy lifestyle. An even greater proportion of Baby Boomers agreed to this statement (96% responded accordingly).

Additionally, close to two thirds have taken this sentiment to heart and attend gym more than three times a week.

The health benefits for visiting the gym speak for themselves, but you should also keep in mind that working out can save you money! Taking the best possible care of your health means you won’t require expensive medical intervention later in life.

“4.4 per cent of New Zealand’s healthcare costs, an estimated $624 million, was spent on obesity costs of between $98 million and $225 million for lost productivity from obesity through absenteeism, premature death, or recruitment and training of replacement staff.”

So in conjunction with exercise helping out your own wallet and heart, it also helps the New Zealand economy! Perhaps it is your patriotic duty to track down the best gym around, and that is something we can help you with.

Les Mills headline our 2014 gym awards

We have once again compared some of the best gym brands across the country, so that you can better reach your fitness goals by partnering up with a winner. This year, Less Mills is the standout runner in our comparison, receiving our Most Satisfied Customers – Gyms. Snap Fitness, Jetts, and cityfitness were also rated in these results.

Les Mills achieved five stars for overall customer satisfaction in this survey, in addition to top ratings for its equipment and facilities, group fitness, range of special offers (e.g. no joining fee, trial passes, bring a friend for free), and staff availability. Furthermore, this brand achieved three stars for the flexibility of its membership, access (i.e. opening hours), and value for money.

*According to the Les Mills website, five million people around the world take one of its group fitness classes each day.

Snap Fitness

True to their name, Snap Fitness isn’t mincing words when they state what its philosophy is: ‘compact, 24/7 gyms with state-of-the-art equipment, minimal staffing and no fuss’. However, this no frills atmosphere doesn’t seem to come at the expense of extras; with some centres supporting child minding, personal training, and group fitness options.

It’s little wonder why this brand received five stars for value for money, access, and flexibility of membership.

In other results, Snap Fitness received four stars for overall satisfaction, its equipment and facilities, and range of specials. It also secured three stars for group fitness and staff availability.

cityfitness

According to its mission statement, the driving focus of cityfitness and its staff of 750 fitness professionals is to improve customers’ health and wellbeing – not just make them ripped!

However, cityfitness seem to suit all kinds. Looking to tone and build flexibility? Yoga or Pilates classes may be for you. Need that personal touch to push you a little harder? Personal trainers can cater a program to your schedule.

cityfitness achieved four star ratings for overall satisfaction, value for money, gym equipment and facilities, and group fitness options. They also received three stars for access, membership flexibility, range of available specials, and staff availability.

Jetts

Jetts has more than 100,000 gym members in New Zealand, according to its website, so at least you’ll never be short on potential spotters when you hit the weights!

Similar to Snap Fitness, Jetts philosophy has long been to offer an all-hours access, no contract, affordable gym experience. While Jetts may not sport much in the way of group fitness, they score points for flexibility with its members.

Jetts received five stars for value for money, and four stars for overall satisfaction, ease of access, equipment and facilities, and the flexibility of its membership. This brand also received three stars for its range of special offer, and its staff availability; and two stars for group fitness.

–

How we rated gym brands

Canstar Blue commissions Colmar Brunton using the SSI panel to regularly survey 2,500 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who regularly visits a commercial gym that is part of a chain (i.e. has gyms in multiple locations), where they pay a membership/attendance fee – in this case, 398 New Zealanders.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all gym brands available in the market were compared in this survey.

To our knowledge, all information in articles on the Canstar Blue website was correct at the time of publication. This information may have changed over time. Refer to the product fact sheet (or relevant similar documentation) before making any purchase decision. Canstar Blue's website terms and conditions apply.